"There are no eternal enemies in this world, only eternal interests." Jiang Tanyue hoisted the basket over her shoulder, remarking casually, "The three of us in our family were expelled, we didn't truly break away from the Jiang family, do you know what this means?"
Lu Jingzhi wasn't quite sure.
As an erstwhile high school senior, who, after only two periods, was forced to wrench apart a desk and assault through a horde of zombies with a steel pipe, her first instinct, hardened over the years of the doomsday catastrophe, was to meet violence with violence, and kill to prevent being killed.
She brushed these thoughts off, opting for a more humble approach, she asked, "What does it mean?"
"The Jiang family can coerce people with morality and ethics at any time. In the old days, an elder's word was law. If the bandit-like members of the elder Jiang family came across someone, that person could only count themselves unlucky, having no choice but to endure their abuse. The last time we weren't sold off, it was not only due to our mother threatening suicide, but also because our father was well-regarded in the village, with villagers who cared enough to dissuade the sale and consulted with the village head."
Jiang Tanyue's gaze hardened.
The senior Jiangs' plan was fairly good, her body was thirteen years old, already marriageable, her younger sister was younger, and the most beautiful in the family, they planned to sell her to a well-off family as a maid.
Apparently, the Bai family in town offered quite a bit of money.
"Mother can't always threaten suicide – and now, mother might be more likely to willingly sell you for money to afford a single meal of white rice."
Lu Jingzhi opened her mouth, but in the end, could only let out a syllable: "Ah..."
Indeed, as it turns out, everyone still needs to prove their worth.
She possessed three special abilities: water, wood, and the rare space mastery abilities. At the onset of the apocalyptic era, those with water and wood mastery abilities had minimal combat capabilities and were usually kept as support.
Less work, less energy crystal core rewards.
A vicious cycle.
Falling from grace.
Lu Jingzhi wasn't proud of her triple abilities. She was constantly on edge, until she successfully broke through to the fourth level, her combat abilities increasing manifold. Adding to her sharp combat senses born from her initially weak abilities, fighting became second nature, as if there were divine intervention.
Only then did humanity realize there were no useless abilities, only useless humans.
"The best way to stay close to the villagers is through mutual benefit. Obviously, we are currently too desperate to manage that, so for now we can only rely on their mercy. Though it's not a great strategy, at least we save ourselves." Jiang Tanyue narrowed her eyes.
This sister, with her downcast eyes, appearing cute and cordial, though she spouted antagonistic words, she could control her temper, stomach steamed bread of corn, even follow her into the mountains, and listen to her reasoning. Regardless of whether it was genuine or acted, for now, Jiang Tanyue was quite satisfied.
She could give her ally some more advice.
"I have no plans to marry or to be sold, and I presume you don't either. So, I hope you won't stir up trouble."
Jiang Tanyue extended her right hand.
Lu Jingzhi moved to shake it, her action faster than her thoughts.
The two fell silent for a split second.
With a look in their eyes, it was clear they were from the same era.
"Let's go, down the mountain."
Lu Jingzhi took two steps, and shook her head, "I'll go look a bit more. Yesterday's rabbit got taken, so today at our house, we can only have boiled vegetables."
Jiang Tanyue glanced at her, the young girl's eyes twinkled brightly, unblemished. She was nothing like Jiang, who was accustomed to strategizing.
"Stay away from the deep forest."
Lu Jingzhi nodded quickly.